Gamma Ray

Gamma Ray is a power metal band from Germany, founded by former Helloween guitarist, singer and songwriter Kai Hansen.

(It is worth noting that Queens Of The Stone Age briefly went by the name Gamma Ray, even recording a few songs under that moniker, before changing it after learning that there was already a band with that name.)

In 1988, after four years with Helloween, guitarist and songwriter Kai Hansen decided, for reasons that are still the subject of much debate, to leave the band. Hansen claimed that Helloween had become too big for him to handle, although the group's troubles with financical issues and the record company most likely played a part as well. He proceeded to do some studio work with Blind Guardian. Eventually, Hansen decided to form his own project with long-time friend Ralf Scheepers from Tyran Pace. This two-man project grew into a four-man band with the addition of Uwe Wessel (bass) and Mathias Burchard (drums). Thus was Gamma Ray born, bearing a sound understandably close to that of Hansen's former band, Helloween.

The original line-up released the album Heading for Tomorrow in February of 1990, and later that y...